Injection apparatus for injecting an activated fluid into a well-bore and related injection method

Abstract

An injection apparatus for injecting an activated fluid and an activated chemical fluid mixture into a well-bore is disclosed. Then, an injection method for injecting an activated fluid into a well-bore is also disclosed. A particular application to the oilfield industry, for example in cementing operation is encompassed. The apparatus and the method of use is fully automatic.

1. An injection apparatus for injecting an activated fluid into a well-bore, the apparatus comprising a reservoir for containing an activation fluid (AF),
 wherein the injection apparatus further comprises:
 a valve arrangement adapted to be coupled to a pipe for receiving a first fluid (F 1 ) flow, 
 a dosing and mixing arrangement coupled to the reservoir and to the valve arrangement, and wherein: 
 the valve arrangement has a rest configuration in which the injection apparatus provides a non-activated fluid mixture (F 1 ″) and an activated configuration in which the injection apparatus provides an activated fluid mixture (F 2 ), 
 the dosing and mixing arrangement comprising an engine part mechanically coupled to a pumping part, the engine part running the pumping part and the pumping part sucking the activation fluid (AF) of the reservoir when the valve arrangement is in the activated configuration, and the dosing and mixing arrangement mixes the activation fluid (AF) with the first fluid and provides an activated fluid mixture flow (F 2 ) at an outlet 
 the valve arrangement is coupled to the outlet by a second shunt tube and the valve arrangement further has a by-pass configuration in which a second portion (F 1 ″) of the first fluid flows directly to the outlet, 
 
 and wherein the activating steps are remotely controlled from a surface equipment. 
 
   
   
     2. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the injection apparatus further comprises a pressure adjusting arrangement for adjusting the pressure inside the reservoir to the pressure inside the pipe. 
   
   
     3. An injection apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure adjusting arrangement comprises a piston fitted in the reservoir, said piston pressurizing the activation fluid (AF) of the reservoir when the valve arrangement coupled to the reservoir submits the piston to a third portion (F 1 ′″) of the first fluid. 
   
   
     4. An injection apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the pressure adjusting arrangement comprises a reservoir consisting of a bladder, said reservoir being coupled by at least one equalization port to a part of the injection apparatus submitted to the pressure inside the pipe. 
   
   
     5. An injection apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the part of the injection apparatus submitted to the pressure inside the pipe is the valve arrangement. 
   
   
     6. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the valve arrangement comprises a sliding sleeve having a first dart catcher for remotely activating the valve arrangement from the rest configuration to the activated configuration. 
   
   
     7. An injection apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the sliding sleeve has a second dart catcher for remotely activating the by-pass configuration of the valve arrangement. 
   
   
     8. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine part is coupled to the pumping part through a gearing part, the gearing part defining a volume ratio between the first portion (F 1 ′) of the first fluid and the activation fluid (AF). 
   
   
     9. An injection apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the gearing part is a driving shaft. 
   
   
     10. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the engine part is a progressive cavity pump. 
   
   
     11. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping part is a progressive cavity pump. 
   
   
     12. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pumping part is a peristaltic pump. 
   
   
     13. An injection apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the dosing and mixing arrangement further comprises a complementary mixing arrangement comprising:
 a pre-mixing chamber coupled to the engine part and the pumping part, and 
 a final mixing chamber coupled to the engine part and the pre-mixing chamber. 
 
   
   
     14. An injection apparatus for injecting an activated fluid mixture into a well-bore according to  claim 13 , wherein the pre-mixing chamber is coupled to the pumping part by a Venturi type injecting conduit.